Three on drug raid counts

The alleged head of a "party drug" ring and his two female associates faced the Melbourne Magistrates Court yesterday after a record $8.5 million ecstasy seizure.

The court was told that Saturday night's seizure of 150,000 ecstasy tablets, quantities of "ice" and LSD, was the largest in Victoria.

Azzam Ahmed, 37, alleged ringleader of a gang with international links, is facing five charges, including trafficking and possessing large commercial quantities of ecstasy and "ice" amphetamines. His partner Colleen O'Reilly, 34, who shared a Moorabbin home with him, was allegedly the syndicate's "bag woman", moving cash by charter plane to Sydney in return for drugs. A second woman, Abbey Haynes, 23, was the live-in minder at an Oakleigh East "safe house" where police seized the drugs, the court heard.

Detective Sergeant Paul Dale said it was "the largest seizure of these type of drugs" made by Victorian police.

None of the three applied for bail. All were remanded to appear on January 23.